Internet users’ requests for VPN (virtual private network) access have exploded in this western American state after the entry into force of a law establishing a strict age limit for accessing pornographic sites.
The introduction in the US state of Utah of a strict age restriction on accessing porn sites sparked a jump in Internet searches on Wednesday for VPN, a tool that can display a location different from the geographical position real.
According to statistics from the Google search engine, requests from Internet users for VPN (virtual private network) access exploded in this western American state a few hours after the law came into force, to the point of becoming the most popular query.
A law establishing a strict age limit
The global porn giant Mindgeek, which notably owns the very popular site Pornhub, blocked all access to its platform in Utah on Tuesday, in response to the decision of local authorities to require Internet users to prove their age with their identity card. identity to access the site.
In a Pornhub video defending her decision, porn actress Cherie Deville claims that “give your ID card every time you want to visit an adult platform is not the most effective solution to protect our users “.
“In reality, (this) will endanger children and your confidential data,” she adds.
Pornhub instead promotes an “on-device verification” system, through which users can verify their age using their smartphones, computer, or tablet.
In 2016, Utah called pornography a public health crisis. This Republican-dominated state is two-thirds populated by Mormons, with strong social conservatism.
